Brentford B played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Burnley Under-21s in the Premier League Cup at Victory Park on Saturday afternoon.

The young Bees netted twice in the first half through Nathan Young-Coombes before Ashley Hay also scored in the second period in an entertaining match at the home of Chorley FC.

Brentford headed to the north west in search of their first points in this season’s competition having been beaten in their opening game by Fulham. The Clarets went into the match having picked up a win in their opening game against Leicester City in a seven-goal thriller as they claimed a 4-3 win.

Neil MacFarlane’s young side were without key players in Ji-soo Kim, Ethan Brierley and Michael Olakigbe for the trip to Victory Park and they lined up with a very youthful side in a back three. Benjamin Fredrick featured in defence alongside Erion Zabeli and Conor McManus whilst Charlie Farr and Val Adedokun were deployed as wing backs.

Angel Waruih lined up in central midfield with Riley Owen as Tony Yogane and Hay were deployed high up the field either side of Young-Coombes.

The hosts lined up strongly with four players who are part of Vincent Kompany’s first team squad involved from the start for Charlie Adams’ side.

It was a frantic first 45 minutes which came alive just two minutes in as the hosts forced McManus into an important interception. Lewis Richardson threaded the ball into the path of Logan Pye before the cross then came in but Darko Čurlinov shot over from around eight yards out.

Brentford then thought they had the lead with their first attempt on six minutes. After the ball was spread wide to the right into the path of Farr, he opted to cross from deep towards Young-Coombes but it took a wicked deflection off a Burnley defender and fell kindly for Hay to tap home after the keeper was outwitted by the change in the ball’s trajectory. The referee then halted the early celebrations after Hay was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.

On 14 minutes Brentford did have their goal though as the impressive Riley Owen turned in his own half before once again switching the ball across to the right. It was then fed down the right into the path of Hay who didn’t hesitate as he crossed first time low into the path of Young-Coombes who controlled and composed himself before slotting in the back of the net.

Two minutes later Burnley could have drawn level but for the alertness of McManus. Lewis Richardson was on the end of a clever through ball and managed to poke past Vincent Angelini. The ball trickled goalwards but for a brilliant clearance from the Irishman.

Young-Coombes continued to threaten for Brentford, and he almost grabbed his second when he latched on to an excellent through ball from Owen before driving into the box and shooting low with his right foot. Denis Franchi was equal to it with the former Paris Saint Germain man diving low to push the ball away from danger.

There was a flurry of goals before the break with Brentford extending their lead on 40 minutes as a Charlie Farr corner was sent low into the box and the movement of Young-Coombes afforded him enough space to sweep the ball home to make it 2-0.

The Bees’ two-goal lead didn’t last long, though, as Richardson was able to pull a goal back following a clever Burnley pass and, with just Angelini to beat, he placed the ball under the keeper to make it 2-1.

That gave the home side momentum and in first half stoppage time they were able to draw level before the break as a cross into the box caused a bit of a scramble and it wasn’t dealt with and Will Hugill was able to prod home from just a couple of yards out.

The second period started in a similar fashion with both sides looking to get in front. On 56 minutes a ball in from the left evaded a Burnley striker and the head of McManus before it was helped back in by Basilio Rieno Socoliche and Jez Davies struck over.

On the hour it was Brentford who got the next goal and it came in style. Wonderful work from Yogane out on the left saw him beat his man and cross left footed to the far post and Hay was on hand to head home into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 3-2.

Brentford were back in front for 13 minutes before the hosts once again came back at them and this time Socoliche turned provider as he cut the ball back for Hugill to slot home first time as he grabbed his second of the game.

Angelini was then called into action for Brentford and he pulled off a stunning save from Socoliche whose effort from distance was destined for the top corner but for a great save from the Bees keeper who managed to push onto the bar.

As the match edged towards its ending the Bees had more chances on the counter with substitutes Max Dickov and Ethan Laidlaw very much involved. But the final pass for the Bees wasn’t forthcoming as the sides settled for a 3-3 draw meaning they took a point each from the game.

Burnley U21: Franchi, Massengo, Campbell, Pye (Ashton, 77) Sassi, Egan-Riley (Healy-Byrne, 46) Socoliche (Le Fondre, 88), Davies, Richardson, Churlinov (Tweedy, 46) Hugill

Subs not used: Chester

Brentford B: Angelini, Farr, Adedokun, Zabeli, Fredrick, Hay (Holland, 83) Waruih, Young-Coombes (Laidlaw, 74) Owen, McManus, Yogane (Dickov 74)

Subs not used: Wilson, Beckham

MacFarlane praises excellent performance

B team head coach Neil MacFarlane was left impressed with his young side who really took the game to their opponents at Victory Park. He believes the side are showing lots of progression in recent weeks and are benefiting from the fixture programme.

Young-Coombes feels side deserved more

Nathan Young-Coombes felt the young Bees could have walked away from Victory Park with all three points, especially having led 2-0 during the match. The youngster says the side will continue to work and he's enjoying playing a key role for the side.